Last Wednesday, the 35-year-old Lofton was in the middle of a skirmish at the start of the series.

San Francisco's Kenny Lofton hit the game-winning RBI single in the
ninth inning on Monday.

Lofton took a long look at his home run early in the game at Busch Stadium, and the Cardinals threw high and tight to him in the top of the fifth inning. Both benches emptied after the Giants' leadoff hitter took exception to the pitch.

After last week's scuffle, Lofton went into a huge slump. He didn't get another hit until Monday night, when he singled off Morris in the sixth. Lofton was just 2-for-17 in the series entering Game 5.

Lofton also scored the tying run in the eighth Monday night on Bonds' sacrifice fly.

This time, there was no postgame criticism, just slaps on the helmet and hugs for the 12-year veteran, who was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on July 28.

His hit followed singles by Bell and Shawon Dunston.

"Shawon came up with a big hit and then boom," Lofton said. "I never, never, never, never felt this good. I just did my job and now we're going to the Series."